Greek [Quercus coccifera] forests

Arborescent [Quercus coccifera]-dominated formations of peninsular Greece, of the Ionian and Aegean archipelagoes and of Crete. Extensive, fully-developed stands exist in several areas of Crete. The most representative forests occupy valleys in the 700-800 m range of the southern slopes of the Psiloriti mountains; [Acer orientale], [Cephalanthera cucullata] and [Epipactis cretica] are associated. Other forests are found in the Lefka and Lassithi mountains; [Pyrus amygdaliformis], [Prunus webbii], [Pistacia terebinthus], [Phillyrea latifolia], [Styrax officinalis] are characteristic of various Cretan stands. Outside of Crete, forest stands are found sporadically, in particular on Ikaria, Samothrace and Mount Athos, where [Quercus coccifera] is associated with [Quercus ilex], and at high elevations of Rhodes, where [Quercus coccifera] forms woodland fragments with arborescent [Phillyrea media]. In many areas remnant tall [Quercus coccifera] may form arborescent matorral, as for instance on Ossa; coppice-like formations of young trees also occur.